ONTARIO WELCOMES $100 MILLION INVESTMENT IN THE AGRI-FOOD SECTOR
Sunrise Farms’ expansion will create 100 new jobs in Oxford County and
strengthen Ontario’s agri-food processing capacity
May 20, 2026
Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and TradeWOODSTOCK — The Ontario government is welcoming an investment of over $100
million from Sunrise Farms, a family-owned Canadian poultry business, to build a
new state-of-the-art processing facility in Woodstock. This major expansion
builds on the company’s strong foundation in the Canadian poultry industry,
while strengthening the resilience, competitiveness and self-reliance of the
province’s agri-food supply chain by creating 100 new, good-paying jobs in
Woodstock and supporting 248 existing positions across Ontario.
“Ontario’s world-class agri-food sector serves as a cornerstone of our economy,
which is why our government is fostering its long-term competitiveness and
resilience,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and
Trade. “As demand for Ontario-made products rises, Sunrise Farms’ investment
will add critical processing capacity to our domestic supply chain, creating new
opportunities for Ontario workers, farmers and suppliers.”
With this investment, Sunrise Farmswill develop one of the most technologically advanced poultry processing
facilities in Canada, while maintaining high food-safety and environmental
standards. Once operational, the new, 155,000-square-foot facility will
significantly enhance the company’s processing capacity, increase procurement
from Ontario farms and support economic growth across rural communities.
“Ontario’s agri-food sector is an economic powerhouse, generating $52 billion in
GDP and employing 1 in 9 people across the province,” said Trevor Jones,
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “This significant investment by
Sunrise Farms to expand their processing capacity will help ensure our province
remains a global leader in food production while creating jobs and strengthening
Ontario’s food independence.”
Upon receiving its federal license from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,
Sunrise Farms will also be positioned to expand the distribution of its Sargent
Farmsbranded products across provincial and territorial borders, unlocking new market
opportunities for Ontario-made goods across Canada. In support of this
investment, Ontario is providing up to $4 million in funding through the Invest
Ontario Fund.
“We are pleased to continue our growth by expanding our operations within
Ontario,” said David Shoore, CEO, Sunrise Farms. “This project represents the
largest greenfield investment in Sunrise’s history. Upon completion, the new
facility will enable Sunrise to respond effectively to increasing demand for
Sargent Farms branded halal certified products throughout Ontario and
nationwide. This development is expected to deliver substantial economic
benefits to the region and reinforce Ontario’s food system.”
In the face of global economic uncertainty, the government continues to deliver
on its mandate to protect Ontario workers and businesses by lowering taxes,
reducing red tape and fostering the conditions for companies to invest and grow.
Since 2018, Ontario has attracted over $222 billion in investments, supporting
the creation of one million new jobs.
QUICK FACTS
* Founded in 1983, Sunrise Farms
is a family-owned and operated Canadian businesses employing approximately
3,600 workers across Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia.
* Ontario is the largest food processor in Canada and a top four jurisdiction
in North America. Investments in food and agri-processing strengthen
Ontario’s food security and export capacity by reinforcing domestic supply
chains that support over 50,000 farms and more than 5,400 food and beverage
manufacturing locations across the province.
* In 2025 alone, Ontario attracted more than $1.3 billion in agri-food
manufacturing investments, supporting hundreds of new jobs and strengthening
advanced manufacturing capabilities.
* In 2024, Ontario’s chicken and turkey producers supported $3.1 billion in
direct GDP and more than 52,000 direct jobs across Ontario’s agri-food value
chain from farm to fork.
* Since its inception, Invest Ontario
has announced $13.9 billion in investments by companies, resulting in the
creation of more than 12,600 jobs across the province.
QUOTES
“Today’s announcement is a major endorsement of Oxford, our local workforce, and
Ontario’s agri-food sector. Sunrise Farms’ investment will help create new jobs,
strengthen our local economy, and support long-term growth in food processing
and agriculture right here in our community. I want to thank Sunrise Farms for
their continued commitment to our community and their confidence in the future
of Oxford.”
– Ernie Hardeman
MPP, Oxford
“We’re excited to welcome Sunrise Farms to Woodstock. Their significant
investment shows the advantages our city offers and will bring new jobs,
strengthen our economy, and support the farmers who are the backbone of our
region. This project reflects our commitment to diversifying our economy, and
we’re grateful to our provincial partners for helping bring this investment to
our city. It’s a perfect fit for Woodstock and a powerful example of our rural
and urban strengths working together to help feed Canada.”
– Jerry Acchione
Mayor of Woodstock
“Sunrise Farms’ expansion reflects the strength of Ontario’s agri-food
processing sector and the province’s commitment to supporting companies as they
grow. By helping Sunrise navigate workforce planning, connect with partners and
access government programs, Invest Ontario provided the support needed to move
this expansion forward. We are pleased to support Sunrise as it grows its
operations and contributes to Ontario’s food security and rural economic
growth.”
– Khawar Nasim
CEO, Invest Ontario
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
* 2026 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario
* Invest Ontario
* Grow Ontario Strategy
